Author: chicagoinquirer

by Tim Reynolds MIAMI  — Ayo Dosunmu scored a season-high 29 points and the short-handed Chicago Bulls topped the Miami Heat 125-118 on Saturday night. Dosunmu added nine assists and eight rebounds. Matas Buzelis scored 21 points and Isaac Okoro added 20 for the Bulls, who hit 20 3-pointers. Pelle Larsson scored 22 and Bam Adebayo had 15 of his 21 in the fourth quarter for Miami, which tied the game four times in the final 3:37 but didn’t reclaim the lead in any of those instances. Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 20 for Miami. The teams play again in Miami…

by Beth Harris LOS ANGELES  — Mariah Carey has blended pop, R&B, gospel and hip-hop into hit songs over five decades. But it was hearing a couple of cuts off her 1990s secret grunge album that had the superstar on her feet clapping. Foo Fighters blasted through “Someone’s Ugly Daughter” with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals. They followed up with “Love is a Scam” as Carey sang along from her front table. Carey was honored for her musical achievements and philanthropic efforts as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night, two days before the Grammy Awards. The award is…

by Associated Press President Donald Trump has gathered his Cabinet for a video broadcasted meeting that’s expected to be another lengthy, praise-heavy affair. Since returning to office, the president has used these meetings to review his administration’s accomplishments and provide Cabinet members with an opportunity to shower him with superlatives. During the meeting, Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies as they continued to negotiate with Republicans and the White House on new restrictions for Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement. Thursday’s 45-55 test vote came as Democrats have threatened a partial…

by The Associated Press Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad. Blatter was the latest international soccer figure to call into question the suitability of the United States as a host country. He called for the boycott in a post on X that supported Mark Pieth’s comments in an interview last week with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. Pieth, a Swiss attorney specializing in white-collar crime and an anti-corruption expert, chaired the…

by Andrew Seligman LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears thrilled the city in coach Ben Johnson’s first season. They pulled out one comeback win after another on their way to capturing the NFC North championship after finishing last in the division. They advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years by rallying to beat Green Bay in a wild-card game before losing an overtime thriller to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. Now, it’s time to start building on everything they accomplished. Then again, maybe building isn’t the right word.…

Mike Catalini and Steve Karnowski WASHINGTON (AP) — Two federal officers fired shots during an encounter that killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress in a notice sent Tuesday. The notice said one Border Patrol officer fired his Glock and a CBP officer fired his, according to a notification to Congress obtained by The Associated Press. Investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the analysis based on a review of body-worn camera footage and agency documentation, the notice said. The agency is required to report in-custody and certain other deaths involving…

by Dyepazah Shibayan ABUJA, Nigeria — A group of Nigerian military officers will stand trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the West African nation’s government, the Nigeria Defense Headquarters said Monday, citing findings from an investigative panel. At least 16 officers were arrested in October over what military authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” The arrests, added to local media reports of a failed coup, had caused tensions in a region already faced with a string of coups. An investigation into the officers’ conduct was concluded and revealed a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu…

by Andrew Seligman CHICAGO  — Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay shot knowing glances at each other, then went to work on the drive that got the Los Angeles Rams one step away from the Super Bowl. Stafford and the Rams survived an incredible throw by Caleb Williams that forced overtime, beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday night to advance to the NFC championship game. Harrison Mevis kicked a 42-yard field goal in OT after Kam Curl intercepted a deep pass by Williams on the Bears’ first possession of the extra period. Stafford glanced at his coach prior to the…

by Jack Brook and Sarah Raza MINNEAPOLIS — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an immigration crackdown is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won’t see a need to send in the U.S. military. Daily protests have been ongoing throughout January since the Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers. Three hotels where protesters have said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were staying…

by Jay Cohen CHICAGO — Caleb Williams’ last throw in regulation was a backpedaling, fourth-down rainbow that landed in Cole Kmet’s hands in the corner of the end zone for a breathtaking touchdown. His last throw of the game was the beginning of the end for Chicago’s surprising season. Williams almost rallied the Bears to another memorable win on Sunday night. But he threw his third interception in overtime and Matthew Stafford drove the Los Angeles Rams to Harrison Mevis’ winning field goal in a 20-17 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs. “It’s tough. In these moments, you…